The occurrence of Helicobacter spp. and fecal bacterial contamination was investigated in high-altitude environments from the Northeastern Andes of Venezuela. Helicobacter DNA was detected by PCR in streams, drinking and irrigation waters, and one culture from drinking water by the HP enrichment medium for selection of Helicobacter pylori, which displayed 98.98% homology to this pathogen based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. FISH demonstrated predominant coccoid cells of the target bacteria indicative of the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state in all water samples and HP cultures. Our work reveals for the first time Helicobacter spp. in waters from one of the highest places in the world. These results, together with the presence of fecal coliforms (2–160 MPN/100 mL) from the headwaters of rivers to drinking and irrigation waters, alert fecal contamination and epidemiological implications in this area of ecological and economic importance for the region.

幽门螺杆菌的发生。在委内瑞拉东北部安第斯山脉的高海拔环境中调查了粪便细菌污染。螺杆菌的DNA，通过PCR在流，饮用水和灌溉水检测，并且从通过用于选择的HP富集培养基饮用水一个培养幽门螺杆菌，其显示98.98％的同源性在此基础上病原体的16S rRNA基因测序。FISH 显示目标细菌的主要球状细胞表明所有水样和 HP 培养物中都处于存活但不可培养 (VBNC) 状态。我们的工作首次揭示了螺杆菌属 在世界上最高的地方之一的水域中。这些结果，连同从河流源头到饮用水和灌溉水的粪便大肠菌群 (2–160 MPN/100 mL) 的存在，警告了该地区对该地区具有生态和经济重要性的粪便污染和流行病学影响。